The Middle School Dean is charged with supporting the academic and social-emotional growth of every middle school student and assisting in the visioning, planning, and implementation of strategic goals in the division. The Dean is central to creating and upholding a nurturing, diverse, and inclusive school culture where all students feel a sense of belonging. The Dean’s interactions within the community need to be consistent with a restorative approach that helps students make responsible choices and build and maintain positive relationships, and that helps teachers build nurturing and growth-oriented relationships with students.

The ideal candidate will also have the skills and mindsets to be a leader in strategic planning for the division and, with the Middle School Administration, be able to lead, manage, and shape change in areas including behavior policies, equity and inclusion, advisory, and social-emotional learning. The Dean reports directly to the Middle School Division Head and works closely with the Middle School Assistant Head and other administrators to ensure consistency of policy and mission across all aspects of the school. The Dean’s responsibilities also include teaching one full class (section) each year, teaching an exploratory class each trimester and chaperoning one middle school outdoor education trip.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Student Behavior and Support

Work with middle school leadership to design, implement, and refine school policies on student behavior that focus on building positive relationships, giving students the tools to manage their own behavior, and upholding the school’s values

Serve as the point person for dealing with behavioral issues and student crisis-intervention; elevate critical situations to the MS Head and MS Assistant Head

Provide direct preventive behavioral and relationship-based supports to individual students or groups of students who demonstrate the need

Manage a system to collect, input, and analyze student behavior referrals; identify areas of concern and behavioral trends to share with the MS Student Support Team (SST) during weekly meetings

Support teachers in the implementation of classroom behavior management strategies and in their efforts to hold all students to high and consistent behavioral expectations

Assist teachers, students, and parents in the effective creation and implementation of individual behavior plans; work with School Counselor as needed.

If applicable, act as a student advisor for a group of 7-8 students

School Programs

Collaborate with MS leadership to plan activities that build community, celebrate students, enhance diversity, and positively impact an inclusive school climate, such as MS Welcome Back Week, assemblies, and dances

Work with MS Assistant Head to create cross-divisional opportunities through current and new programs, including the NHS-6th Grade Buddy Program

Work with Administration to support and facilitate transition of students from lower to middle school and from middle to upper school

Communication with Families

Effectively communicate with families with respect to student attendance, student conduct, student wellness, school programs, and school performance

Work with all student support personnel to provide targeted pre-emptive support for families of students who are at risk

Well-versed in issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and experience with a diverse student body

A healthy sense of humor

Proficiency working with current technology

Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree in a relevant field preferred

Flexibility to occasionally work long hours, including attendance at weekend and evening events

A minimum of three to five years of relevant experience, including teaching, educational leadership, and management experience; middle school experience preferred

TO APPLY

Interested candidates should send their resume and cover letter to Gregg Sacon, Assistant Head of the Middle School at gsacon@buckley.org. In a cover letter/email please explain how you have included diversity, equity, and inclusion in your work with students or colleagues.

NOTES:

Additional Salary Information: Compensation includes full benefits. The Buckley School actively supports professional development for all faculty, staff and administration.

About The Buckley School

The Buckley School, a K-12 college preparatory school with 830 students, is one of the most respected independent schools in the Los Angeles. Buckley is known for its unique educational philosophy, the 4-Fold Plan of Education, which melds a whole-child approach with elements of structure, as well as for its warm, intimate educational environment.
The school’s curriculum balances academics, the arts, physical development and moral education. Its creative, personalized approach to education emphasizes high academic standards for all students, and includes traditional touches that develop the character and discipline that unlock students’ full potential.